‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Paris Fashion Travel Outfits

In the days since The Summer I Turned Pretty’s season three finale, I’ve been scouring the internet for cheap flights to Paris and chic, affordable lookalikes of Belly Conklin’s French-inspired wardrobe. 

Like Lola Tung’s Belly, I lived in Paris in my early twenties, where I found myself swapping sweatshirts for cardigans, heeled boots for sneakers (bonjour, cobblestones), and jeans for pleated ankle pants. As a travel writer, I’ve returned regularly over the past 13 years and found that in Paris, fashion is focused on the quality and simplicity of the materials and the silhouette—wardrobes are made up of high-quality staples designed to stand the test of time, not trends.

Here, I’ve rounded up some of Belly’s best outfits from her time in Paris, from classic little black dresses to sturdy leather bucket bags, versatile travel pants, and more pieces that will keep you looking polished in the City of Light. 

Belly’s Paris Wardrobe Essentials

Pleated Bottoms

While it’s a nice change of pace to see Belly’s go-to denim cut-offs swapped for these high-waisted, pleated Max Mara bottoms, shorts season is on its way out. Parisians dress for the season, rather than the temperature—despite summer’s lingering warmth, they’ll be wrapped in scarves and sweaters from now through spring. To that end, I sought out some pleated pants that strike the same vibe. 

I love the wide-leg look, so the Quince Stretch Crepe Pleated Wide-leg Pants immediately caught my eye—the stretchy fabric feels substantial enough to keep you warm on cooler days, and the elastic back waist ensures a comfortable fit. For a great wallet-friendly alternative, these palazzo pants from Amazon boast a similar silhouette and come in 16 different shades.

As a petite traveler—I’m 5-foot-2—I’ve long been obsessed with culottes, and this charming plaid pair from Madewell would make for a fabulous transitional piece as the temperature dips. Prefer a more tailored look? The Banana Republic High-rise Modern Slim Refined Ankle Pant comes in regular, petite, and long sizing, and the slim fit is designed to look good with everything from silky tank tops to cropped sweaters. A simple silhouette like this is a traveler’s best friend, as they’re stretchy enough to wear all day and structured enough to carry you through a night of wine-bar hopping.

Classic Little Black Dress 

The little black dress (LBD) is a Parisian staple, originated by Coco Chanel herself in the 1920s. It’s true French fashion, manifested: elegant, understated, timeless. Wear it with strappy heels or sheer tights, a blazer, and tall boots—it’s an all-season favorite for good reason. Belly wields the power of her LBD—a petit Jacquemus number named after a croissant, no less—with laser-sharp precision in the season finale, nearly bringing Conrad to tears when she saunters into her (outrageously beautiful, impossibly oversized) bedroom ahead of her 22nd birthday dinner.

Eddy Chen/Prime

If you, too, are hoping to get your on-again, off-again first love to wistfully tell you that “you look really beautiful,” here are my suggestions for where to snag a lookalike LBD for less. 

Just like Belly’s dress, the Louie Dress from Reformation features strappy detailing on the back, with a swishier midi skirt that’s practically made for a romantic dance along the Seine. For a truly minimalist look, the Aritzia Wilfred Foxley Dress has spaghetti straps and is made from a Japanese crepe fabric that’s essentially wrinkle-proof—a major plus for travel. Quince has a silk option with a V-neck and adjustable straps, which can be worn as a slip or all on its own. Fans of the bodycon style will love this mini-dress from Amazon, which is ultra-flattering and can be layered under a shirt or sweater as a stand-in for a mini-skirt. 

Red Sweater

While neutral tones and muted hues make up most of my Paris wardrobe—unlike Emily in Paris would have you believe, the general vibe there is to blend in rather than stand out—a simple cardigan in an eye-catching color is an easy way to brighten up a look. 

In the show, Belly wears a cardigan from Sézane while she drinks wine and dances around a snowy bar in Paris—the scene was dreamy enough to make me look up flights and the cardigan. Sadly, it was sold out, so I tracked down another pick from the brand—the Gaspard Cardigan—with a more minimalist vibe. I love that it has pearlescent buttons and can be worn backwards or forwards for two looks in one.

Similarly, the Reformation Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan is a chic alternative, which can be worn on its own or as a festive layer. Amazon has a great budget-friendly lookalike, while American Eagle released a limited-edition collaboration inspired by The Summer I Turned Pretty that features adorable floral buttons. 

Leather Bucket Bag

Quintessential Parisian style is all about staple pieces that you’ll wear and repair for years, rather than trendy “it” bags that will go out of style by next season. A leather bucket bag like Belly’s is both timeless and street-smart, but some styles offer more peace of mind than others.   

I’ve had several friends get pickpocketed in Paris, so opting for a bag with a secure closure is essential. The Quince Italian Leather Bucket Crossbody takes the cake here, as it boasts a zippered closure and an interior zippered pocket to keep your belongings safe and organized. 

For a nearly-perfect lookalike of Belly’s bag, the Dooney & Bourke Sorrento Drawstring features a similar drawstring style, but with a shorter shoulder strap, which is a plus in terms of keeping your valuables close. To get that drawstring look for less, the Afkomst Leather Bucket Bag is made of vegan leather and is on sale for only $27. And while a magnetic closure isn’t quite as secure, I love the supple yet structured look of the Madewell Essential Bucket Tote, which comes in two gorgeous shades of brown and classic black.

Striped High-neck Tank

Belly’s always loved a striped shirt, typically opting for a multi-colored tank top or sweater paired with her signature denim shorts. In Paris, she put a sophisticated spin on her usual tank-and-shorts routine with this camel-colored Max Mara ensemble. While the actual pieces she wore sold out almost immediately (quelle surprise), I tracked down a few similar styles at a fraction of the price, like this cotton-blend tank from Gap. If you’re looking for a little extra coverage, Suuksess has another striped option with built-in removable padding. 

Eddy Chen/Prime

For a subtle nod to the classic French marinière—a long-sleeved striped shirt—I love Everlane’s aptly-named Mariner Tank, a versatile wardrobe staple which offers a more relaxed, slouchy look that’s practically begging for a French tuck and black pleated trousers. And if you want to take the high neckline game to the next level, look no further than this sophisticated Luxe Rib Funnel-neck Tank from Everlane, crafted from super-soft Supima cotton. 

Slingbacks

Patent leather slingback Mary Janes weren’t on my bingo card for Belly, who’s most often seen wearing sneakers throughout the series—but this shiny pair from Parisian brand Carel is a total style staple in the French capital. I’ve seen girls wearing them all around Paris, often sporting the similar Sézane Paula Babies, which have light gold accents and a comfortable ankle strap. 

J.Crew has another pair with a slightly more modest heel, while the Coach Winley Patent Leather Mary Janes Slingback Pumps have barely any heel at all, which is ideal for saving suitcase space. And if you love the J.Crew pair but are looking for a lower-cost option, we love these lookalikes from Amazon, which are on sale for just $35.

Shearling Jacket

When Belly and Taylor hit up the boulangerie for fresh croissants, I was equally jealous of their sweet treats and charmingly French-inspired outfits. Belly threw a cozy shearling jacket over a plaid mini-skirt and knee-high boots, and I found a perfect Amazon lookalike that comes in three colors for an absolute steal.

If you’re looking to splurge, this Maje Reversible Shearling Jacket can be worn inside-out to reveal a fuzzy shearling exterior—and the brand is a favorite of French girls—while the Asos Arket Faux Shearling Jacket has a great oversized option with cute contrast trim. For a more winter-ready look, I love the Banana Republic Factory Vegan Leather and Faux Fur Jacket, which comes in black vegan leather with soft taupe-colored faux fur. 

Plaid Coat

Fall fashion in Paris is all about layering, as the temperature can dip drastically from day to day. If you’re packing only one coat, let it be inspired by Belly’s chic plaid peacoat. This double-breasted pick from Levi’s is a bit longer, but the pattern is similar, while Old Navy has a budget-friendly grey button-up that comes in regular, petite, and tall sizes. Personally, I’m obsessed with Sézane’s gingham Clyde Coat, which is water-repellent and frankly made for a rainy stroll through the weekend market or along the Canal Saint Martin.

For another lightweight layer that’s equal parts fashionable and functional, I love the Beck Trench from Reformation, which is a breeze to pack and pairs well with everything from an LBD to a T-shirt and jeans.

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